History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 54

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Illinois > Union County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 54
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 54
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 54

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Ireland, the " Gem o' the Say," contributed to the settlement Mr. James L. Wallace; he located just north of Cobden. but about the year 1848-50, settled on the place where he now lives. At one time, he owned a large farm, but has sold off the most of i Mr.

Cover is one of the prominent and leading business men in the precinct. He is Post- master of Western Saratoga, keeps a store, farms, and-well, we don't know how many more irons he has in the fire. We shall again speak of him in this chapter.

This precinct was not settled as early as some other portions of the county. At the time of building the Illinois Central Rail- road, there were but few people living in this immediate vicinity. It was the building of that great thoroughfare that contributed largely to the settlement of the scope of coun- try now embraced in Saratoga Precinct. For a quarter of a century, perhaps. after the first " settlements were made in the county, the forest remained unbroken, except by wild game and hunters.

The first mill in the present precinct was a horse power mill. built about 1845, on the farm now owned by Mr. C. Carraker, about a mile and a half northwest of West Saratoga. Men would flock to this place and stay all day to get a bushel of corn ground. It was owned and operated by old man, Carraker

the father of the present owner of the plac .. and a very old settler of this section. The next mill was a water-power mill. built ou Cache Greek, by Samuel H. and T. W. Ste venson, some time between 1845 and 1850. It was both saw and grist mill, and after some fifteen years' operation the dam was carried away in a freshet, since when the mill has gone to decay and has rotted down. · A horse mill was built in West Saratoga in 1860, and was operated by Mr. Barringer. It was a grist mill, and was superseded by a steam mill, which was built by A. Cover & Co., and was a saw and grist mill combined. About the year 1875, it was moved to Johnson County. About the same year, a saw and grist mill was built on the farm of William Murphy, but has since been moved to the south part of the county. The first steam mill probably in the county was built on the- farm of Mr. J. Roberts, in Section 33, about 1850, and some two years later it was burned. but was at once rebuilt. It did good service for many years, but has now passed away.

Saratoga Village .- The village of Saratoga. which never amounted to much except 01. paper. was laid out by Dr. Penoyer Novem- ber 6, 1841, and is located on the northeast quarter of Section 1, of Township 12 south. Range 1 west. A mineral spring was the prime cause of the location of a town at this place. Dr. Penoyer believed the place could be made a fashionable resort, and hence gave it a name known as such all over the world. He laid out a town, but like mankind generally when they think they have a good thing, with " millions in it," want to pocket ALL, and he put the lots at such fabulous prices that none but a Vanderbilt could purchase. This was a drawback to the place; indeed, has always kept it from prospering or even improving. A boarding house was built near the springs, and for several years during the summer sea-

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

son it was kept crowded to its utmost capacity. Dr. Penoyer built a bath-house, which also was well patronized for a time, and, had a more liberal policy been pursued, there is little doubt but a flourishing town would to- day snrround the springs. As it is, it shows to better advantage on paper than otherwise. It is not inaptly described by the poet:

" A place for idle eyes and ears, A cobwebbed nook of dreams: Left by the stream whose waves are years The stranded village seems."

A portion of the original plat is now a fruit orchard. and the spring is unkept, though still somewhat resorted to in summer by the neighboring people, but there are no accomo- dations for strangers.

The place made some pretensions to busi- ness in its earlier days. Elijah Beardsley purchased a number of lots, and built a saw and grist mill just below the town limits. Caleb Cooper erected a hotel or boarding house. and the first store was established by A. W. Simons. William Reed, whose father was an early settler of Jonesboro, also opened a store at Saratoga in its days of glory. But the illiberal policy pursned by Dr. Penoyer eventually discouraged the business men and they turned their attention to other points. The principal business is now done by Mr. A. Cover, who has a store abont a mile west of the spring, and also keeps the post office of West Saratoga. He is an old citizen of the county, and a stirring and enterprising busi- ness man.

The following incident is related, which may be given in connection with the springs: These springs were a great resort of deer, which came to slake their thirst and imbibe the health giving waters. A man who, like Esan, was a great hunter, built a scaffold, which afforded him a secure place to watch for and fire upon the unsuspecting animals

when they came to drink. One day (or night) a man named Russell took possession of the scaffold, and when the true owner put in an appearance and invited him down, de- clined the invitation, whereupon the owner leveled his gun and shot the intruder dead. This occurren years ago, when men's right of claims was generally respected by the mass of the people, and nothing was done in this case with the homicide.

A schoolhouse and church combined was built soon after the town was laid out, and was used as a Methodist Church as well as a schoolhouse until about the year 1870. when a schoolhouse was built just outside of the town limits to the westward. Good schools are maintained in it for the usual term each year.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of West Saratoga was originally organized in 1848- 49, and services were held for awhile in people's houses. Among the early members were Samuel Stevenson, Lavina Stevenson, J. W. Stevenson and Catherine his wife, Mrs. Owens. Mrs. Rich, James Reed, etc, The first house of worship was of logs, and was erected in the southern part of the vil- lage. It was built by the people generally, and used for both church and school pur- poses. This building was replaced in 1881 by the present church, which cost about $1,000. Among the ministers who have officiated as pastors may be mentioned Revs. Watson, Baxter, McIntosh and Linkenfelter. Rev. Mr. Gifford has been its pastor since February last. The church has passed through many vicissitudes; old members have died, and others moved away, often deplet- ing its ranks, nntil at present there are but some thirty names upon its records. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained, which meets every Sunday with T. J. Rich as Superintendent.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Roads and Bridges .- The first road laid out through the present precinct was from Jonesboro to Elvira, and thence to Golconda, and was known as the " Elvira road," after the town of that name, then the county seat of Johnson County, which embraced Union. Massac, Pulaski and Alexander Counties, under the old Territorial government. The old town of Elvira is now in the edge of Johnson County, but is not the county seat. A road leading from Jonesboro to the village of Saratoga was probably the next one laid out. A few other roads center in the village. made in consequence of the probability of the town becoming a watering place. Bridges span the streams where the most important roads cross them. The first, perhaps, was built over Bradshaw Creek, near William Mur- phy's and was an enterprise of the people for their own accommodation and conven- ience. Another bridge was built at the crossing of the Union road. and another over Cache Creek about 1850. Some years later. one was built over the same stream near Saratoga. where the road to Anna crosses it.

The precinct is about as well supplied with schools as any portion of the county. It is not known. however, where and when the first one was taught, or the name of the teacher. The first schoolhouse on Section 8 (now No. 2) was of logs, and was built on the farm of Mr. Miller, who donated the land for the purpose. Some ten years later. it was moved to where it now stands. as being a more eligible location. Five or six years ago. the attendance had so increased that the house was " weather-boarded," a story added on to it. the school was graded and two teach- ers employed, with an attendance of about 100 pupils. The district, however, has been divided up and cut down, until the attend- ance has been reduced within the capacity of one teacher. The Pleasant Ridge School-

house was one of the early temples of learn- ing. It stands near the church of the same name. The present frame schoolhouse was built in 1870, and cost about $800. The first school in the present District No. 7 was taught, as we have said, in the old log church of Saratoga Village. The present school- house was built on Section 2, on land donat- ed by G. W. Williams, and cost about $400. Albert Cover was the first teacher to occupy this building. There are some four or five schoolhouses in the precinct, and room for two or three more, with plenty of children to stock them. if compelled to attend school.

Churches .- The first preaching, probably, in this part of the county, certainly the first Methodist preaching. was by two itinerants -Chatman and Reed. These pioneer preach- ers traveled over this and adjoining counties. preaching at the people's houses and in the groves when they could get a few persons together. They have long since passed to their rewards.

Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church was among the early churches established in this precinct. It was organized in the Pleas- ant Ridge Schoolhouse in 1856. They con- tinued to worship in the schoolhouse until 1876, wben a church edifice was erected at a cost of about $800. It is located in the southwest part of Section 29. Among the pastors were Elders F. W. Carothers, D. R. Saunders, David Culp. David Matlack, etc. Rev. Culp officiated as pastor most of the time. The society numbers about eighty-five members, and at present is without a pastor.

Union Chapel is located in Section 8, and was built about seven or eight years ago. Mr. J. Penninger was chiefly instrumental in building it. He donated the land upon which it stands, and also contributed a good deal of material toward its construction. Although known as a Union Church, it was

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

used wholly by the Adventists, whose chief preacher was a man named McCay. But after a few years, some of the principal mem- bers having died, the preacher went away and the church was closed. Since then, the windows and doors have been carried away, and the house generally dismantled.

In 1873, I. T. Sitter opened a store in the old Miller building, about one and a half miles from Saratoga Village. He continued there until 1881, when he moved his store to the Murphy building at the Cross Roads, about two miles from Saratoga, and where the store still remains in successful operation.

The Bradshaw Post Office was established in 1875, about three and a half miles from Saratoga, and Dr. F. E. Scarsdale was com- missioned Postmaster. The office was car- ried on until in 1881, when it was discon- tinued. and the mail is now sent to Lick Creek Post Office, in the, southeast part of Rich Precinct.

Saratoga Precinct abounds more or less in mineral productions. Coal and lead have both been found, though in rather limited quantities. On the farm of Taylor Dodd, coal crops out in a vein perhaps a foot and a half thick. An attempt was made years ago, by a blacksmith named Jarley, of Sara- toga, to utilize it, but the effort was aban- doned after a short time. Coal was also dis- covered on the farm now occupied by Charles Keller. but not in quantities to pay for min- ing, while it is so much more plentiful in regions near by. The time may come when it will prove more valuable, when richer de- posits are exhausted.

Specimens of lead ore have been found in different places, and many believe that lead exists in large quantities in the hills of

Cache and Bradshaw Creeks. The distance from railroad communication has always pre- vented a thorough investigation of these underground riches.

Indian Legend .- A Joe Mulhattan story is current here, which is something as follows: When the Indians had retired before the ad- vancing tide of pale faces, roving bands occasionally wandered back to weep over the graves of their fathers, plant cedar trees and rose bushes around their silent resting places, and drink sulphur water for the ague, bilious fever, etc. Traditions were numerous among the white settlers that more precious metals than lead existed in plentiful profusion among the hills and rocks. Upon one of the periodical visits of a squad of Indians, a white man, with courage only exceeded by his avarice, prevailed upon the savages. to take him (blindfolded) to the El Dorado, be- lieved to be in the vicinity. They took him, as he afterward told it, about a mile from the Saratoga sulphur springs. then crossed a creek and walked up a high steep hill, when they entered a cavern. Then the bandage was removed from his eyes, and he beheld nuggets of lead and silver ore lying around on the floor of the cavern in quantities equal in quantity to the jewels in Sinbad's valley of diamonds. The Indians " gathered their pockets full " and then returned, blindfold- ing the white man as before. He was never able to find the place afterward, as near by as he believed it to be, and so the treasure still lies hidden in the cavern, awaiting to be unearthed by some adventurous individual. Our readers can swallow as much of this story as they like; we merely give it as we heard it, and without comment.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXI .*

MILL CREEK PRECINCT-ITS NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RESOURCES-ONE OF THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS IN THE COUNTY-PIONEER IMPROVEMENTS- SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-VILLAGES, ETC.

"On shadowy forests filled with game, And the blue river winding slow

Through meadows, where the hedges grow That gives this little place a name."

M ILL CREEK PRECINCT, though the smallest division of Union County, is rich in historical lore. It dates back more than three-quarters of a century, and much per- taining to its early history will be found in chapters on the county at large. It embraces but about eleven sections of land, and is of comparatively recent formation. It is bounded on the north by the ragged edge of Jones- boro Precinct, on the east by Dongola Pre- cinct. on the south by Alexander County, and on the west by Meisenheimer Precinct. The last census gave it but 400 inhabitants. The surface is billy and broken, and origi- nally was encumbered with heavy timber filled with wild game. It is drained by Mill Creek, a considerable stream, and from which the precinct derives its name, and Cooper Creek, together with a number of other small streams. The narrow-gange railroad passes through, and has two stations in the precinct. The productions are chiefly corn, wheat and potatoes, with some fruit. More or less at- tention is paid to stock-raising, though it is carried to no great extent.

The settlement of this little spot, known as Mill Creek Precinct runs back to 1808. In that year, Joseph and Benjamin Lawrence and Benjamin Eccles came here on a hunt-

ing excursion, and being pleased with the country, determined to make it their future home. They were originally from North Carolina, but had lived for some time ir Tennessee. The Lawrences were brothers, and one of them remained here, preparing a place to live, while the other and Eccles went back to Tennessee for their families, re- turning in the spring of 1809, and bringing with them Adam Clapp and his family. The Lawrences settled a little southeast of the present village of Mill Creek; Eccles settled near where St. John's Church now stands, while Clapp settled on Sandy Creek in what is now Alexander County. These old pio- neers are long since dead. Their settlement here'is considered one of the very first made in the county. Some believe it to have been the first actual settlement within the present limits of the county, while others contend that there was a settlement in the vicinity of Jonesboro two or three years earlier.

From North Carolina came these additional settlers: Jacob Rinehart, Adam Hileman, Moses A. Goodman, Jacob Miller, Solomon Miller, Moses and Henry Kruse, the Mowry family, John Kelly, John Fink and George Brown. Rinehart has a son, William' Rine- hart, living on the old place. The old man is long since dead. Hileman is also dead. He was a stirring man and a good citizen. Peter, a brother, lives in Meisenheimer Pre- cinct. Goodman is likewise dead, but his widow and son, John L. Goodman, still live

* By W. H. Perrin.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

in the precinct. Jacob Miller died a few years ago; has two sons still living. Solo- mon. a brother to Jacob, is still living. Of the Mowry family, most of the old ones are dead, but there are a large number of de- scendants. Henry and Moses Kruse were brothers, and are both dead. Peter and John are sons of Henry, and are still living here; and Peter and George are sons of Moses. Kelley died several years ago. He has two sons living, one on the old place, and the other in Dongola. Fink was a prominent man. a tanner by trade, and accumulated considerable property during his life. He died some years ago, and three sons, George W .. Levi and Jacob still perpetuate the name here. Brown was for a number of years County School Commissioner, but has been dead some time.

This is a brief synopsis of the early set- tlement of the precinct, a settlement that, according to tradition, commenced seventy - five years ago, by a few hunters who came here in pursuit of the game that then in- fested the great forests of this section of the State. Amid toil and hardships .. and dangers, they squatted upon the public lands and began the work of carving out a home. Their efforts were successful, and a large population may now be found where then a wilderness was unbroken by human habita- tion.

There is not much in Mill Creek Precinct to write. except its settlement and the two villages which have been laid out since the building of the railroad. It is one of the earliest settled portions of the county. Schools were established early, but of the first we were unable to learn anything beyond the fact that they were of the usual pioneer kind. taught by the usual pioneer teacher. There are two or three good comfortable schoolhouses now in the precinct.

There are no church buildings in the pre- cinct, but the schoolhouses are used for church purposes.

The village of Mill Creek was laid out April 5, 1876, by the Cover heirs, and is a place of some 200 or more inhabitants. It consists of a general store, drug store, mill, a few shops, etc. The first store was kept by John Brown. The store is kept now by John A. Morris; the drug store by - Brown; black- smith shop by Tom Douglass. The grist mill was built by Ed Mowry about 1876. It is a substantial frame building, and does quite a flourishing business. John Brown is station agent, and also deals in timber. He buys and ships timber to wagon factories in different portions of the country.

The village is not incorporated, as it does not contain the requisite number of inhabit- ants. An effort to that end was made re- cently, when it was found that they were a little short in noses, which was well, as the object of the incorporation was to establish saloons in the town, which could not be done until incorporated, except by a majority vote of the people of the precinct.

Springville was laid out by Michael N. Heilig May 22, 1875, and is located on Sec- tion 19 of the precinct. It is a place of probably 100 inhabitants. It contains a store kept by Mr. Jones; a saw mill kept by Heileg, a post office and a few shops. The schoolhouse of the district is a mile or so from the village, and there is no church building.

The St. Louis & Cairo Narrow Gauge Railroad was built through Mill Creek Pre- cinct in 1875, and has been the means of vast improvement and development of the country through which it passes. It, has brought the best markets to the doors of the farmers, and in many ways has proved of great advantage to them.

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

433

CHAPTER XXII .*

MEISENHEIMER PRECINCT-ITS SURFACE FEATURES, TIMBER, STREAMS AND BOUNDARIES SETTLEMENT OF THE WHITES-EARLY STRUGGLES OF THE PIONEERS-SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES-RELIGIOUS-MILLS, ROADS. ETC .. ETC.

M EISENHEIMER PRECINCT is com- posed of a part of Township 13 south. Range 2 west, and is bounded north by Jonesboro Precinct, east by Jones- boro and Mill Creek, south by Alexander County, west by Clear Creek, and has a pop- ulation by the last census of 774 souls. The surface is rough and broken in places. and in the western part, next to Clear Creek, is in- clined to be somewhat wet and swampy. The timber is mostly oak, hickory. elm, gum, syca- more. and other species common in this section. The productions are wheat, corn, and some fruit. Clear Creek and Cooper's Creek, with a few other small streams, constitute its drain- age system. The St. Louis & Cairo Rail- road just touches the northeast corner of the precinct, and has a station. Kornthal, on Sec- tion 2, which affords railroad facilities to this immediate section. The name " Meisen- heimer " is derived from one of the old fam . ilies of pioneers, who still have many repre- sentatives in the county, and was bestowed on the precinct in honor of them.

One of the early settlers of this part of the .county was Jacob Meisenheimer. He came from North Carolina, and settled on the place where his son, John N. Meisenheimer, now lives. He was a plain and honest farmer, and also a stone mason. He built many of the old-fashioned stone chimneys to the old- fashioned log houses in this section. He is dead, but his two sons, John N. and Paul,

perpetuate his name; the latter lives in Jones- boro. David, a brother to Jacob, was also an early settler. He, too. is dead, but has a son, named Alfred, living in the precinct, and who is quite a prominent man, and for many years a Justice of the Peace.

Peter Lence and Peter Dillow, from North Carolina, settled here about 1818. Lence had several sons, viz .. Jacob, Henry, John and George. They are all dead, as well as their father. Dillow is also dead, but his widow is still living. She was a daughter of Peter Lence. Their sons were Jacob, Wiley. Henry. Peter and Paul, and all are still liv- ing in this precinct except Jacob.

North Carolina furnished the following additional early settlers to this precinct: John Weaver, John Knup. John Poole, John Hileman, the Brown family, and perhaps others. Weaver came about the same time that the Meisenheimers did, and settled in the same neighborhood. He is dead, but is still represented in the place by a son named George. Knup came about the same time, from the same place, and also settled in the same neighborhood. He has been dead some time, but has two or three sons still living. Poole came in early, but has been dead many years. A number of descendants still per- petuate the name. Hileman settled early. His father, Peter Hileman settled in Dongola Precinct, and is long since dead. Of the Brown family, several sons are yet living in the precinct. but the old man-the patriarch

* By W. H. Perrin.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

of the tribe-whose name we failed to learn, is long since dead.

A large German settlement was made early in the northeast part of the precinct, among whom we may mention M. Hehenbarger, Joseph Kollehner, Peter and Jacob Barnhart, Mathias Duschel, Jacob Fitzer, Paul Peisl, the Weber famil , the Fulenwiders, Shaffers, etc., etc. These came from the old country, and formed a kind of colony -- a settlement among themselves. They are a thrifty set of enterprising farmers.

The pursuits of the early settlers, aside from hunting, were chiefly agricultural. They were quick and ingenious to supply by inven- tion. and with their own hands, the lack of mechanics and artificers. Each settler, as a rule, built his own house, made his own plows and other implements of husbandry. The cultivation of the soil was conducted after the most primitive fashion. The plows, with wooden mold-board, turned the sod; the harrows, with wooden teeth; prepared it for planting. The harness was often made of ropes, sometimes of the bark of trees. Corn and a few vegetables were the only crops grown for a number of years. Wheat was not at first attempted, for there were no mills to grind it. Thus the early years were passed in penury by the pioneers, not unac- companied by danger and privation. But they were a hardy set, and not afraid of work, and by dint of perseverance accom- plished their aim-a home for themselves and families.

Meisenheimer Precinct is strongly Demo- cratic, and has always adhered to that polit- ical faith. Indeed. there is not, it is said, a

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History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 54

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 948

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948